Figures released recently by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and charity Reunite have revealed that the number of parental child abduction and custody cases has more than doubled over the past ten years, with almost two children being abducted abroad each day.

As a result of these figures, charity Children and Families Across Borders (CFAB) has called for more to be done to tackle this problem.

It describes parental child abduction as a “tragedy” for all concerned, including the parent responsible for the abduction, as it will impact on the relationship they have with their child. Ultimately, however, it is the children that will suffer the most.

According to CFAB, the Home Office must enable the UK Border Force to reintroduce checks at all entry and exit points to the country, to prevent children being moved illegally across borders. It should also track the temporary visas given to children so that it knows which children are being kept in the country beyond the duration of these visas.

CFAB claim that in addition to helping tackle parental child abductions, these measures would also help identify children who are being trafficked in or out of the country.

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